NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University men's basketball team is now 2-0 in 2022, defeating Lasell 72-57 Saturday afternoon in Andrews Hall in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest.

Four Cadets scored in double figures with Jalen Olivero (Holyoke, Mass.) and Donovan Lewis Jr. (Savannah, Ga.) scoring 12 points each, while Jaydon Cousin (Savannah, Ga.) and Kohlby Murray (Fair Haven, Vt.) adding 11 and 10 points respectively off the bench.  Olivero and Cousin pulled down eight rebounds each, and Olivero added a game-high seven assists.

Lasell opened the game going up 11-2 in the first 3:16 of play after Kevin Vanderhorst converted a layup and completed the three-point play at the line. Kyle Booth (Northfield, Vt.) responded shortly after by hitting a three-point jumper sparking seven-straight points for Norwich.

EJ Day made a jumper to put the Lasers up 15-9, then Norwich erupted for a 12-point run that saw them take the lead by six. Lasell closed the deficit down to two points before a dunk by Lewis Jr. with 38 seconds left in the half gave the Cadets a 31-27 lead going into the halftime break.

Lasell was able to cut the lead down to one with 12:49 remaining.  Norwich was able to hold on to the advantage, but unable to extend the lead to more than five. Cousin finally broke through that threshold with 5:45 remaining in the contest when a free throw by Cousin gave the Cadets a six-point advantage.

A layup by Day cut the Norwich lead down to four, but Olivero hit a jumper that Cousin followed with a three-pointer of to give the Cadets a 60-51 lead with 4:13 left in regulation. With 1:58 remaining in the game, Day found a lane and was able to drive to the basket for a layup, that was followed by Olivero responding with a layup of his own the next time down the floor. Norwich was able to hold the Lasers at 57 on their way to the 15-point victory.

Norwich (8-4, 3-1 GNAC) will face off against Anna Maria on Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 5 p.m. in Paxton, Mass in a North Division battle. The Cadets will then battle Saint Joseph's College on Saturday, Jan 15 at 3 p.m. before playing in Andrews Hall on Tuesday Jan, 18 against Emmanuel.